Declining enrollment has been an issue at Ripon Unified.

While the numbers are still down, district officials were somewhat pleased recently to hear of the slight increase of the past month.

According to the sixth month attendance report, enrollment was up 14 students from the previous month.

However, the overall numbers weren’t as encouraging.

RUSD was down 72 students compared to last year’s figures at this time, reported the Director of Curriculum and Categorical Programs Kathy Coleman during the regular February school board meeting.

The district’s overall enrollment at this time is 3,004. Compare that to the 2011-12 school year (3,076), 2010-11 (3,046), or 2009-10 (3,035).

Earlier, school officials discussed the significant for the decline and the negative impact on the budget. Coleman pointed out that the biggest reason for this movement can be attributed to parents taking their students out of RUSD for private schools, charter schools or other school districts.

The board also approved the idea of applying for a new continuation high school, with hopes of recouping some of the losses.

Meanwhile, Ripon elementary (443) and Ripon High (852) both had an increase of five students. Colony Oak (409) was up three students while independent study (18) was plus two in enrollment.

Ripona (431) and Weston (444) reported being one student down from the previous month.